as in shiver
an instance of shaking involuntarily with fear or cold
a shudder ran through him as he stepped outside into the snow
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in to shake
to make a series of small irregular or violent movements
huddled in the basement, we shuddered with fear as we heard the approaching tornado
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of shudder
Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 23 Apr. 2026
China controls the majority of the world’s supply, and Beijing’s brief export restrictions last year on the minerals — critical for the defense and energy sectors — sent shudders through US industry.
—Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 21 Apr. 2026
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 7 May 2026
The world itself is shuddering on some of these economic blows.
—ABC News, 3 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for shudder
Noun
That process of a rupture hitting a barrier creates a signature called a stopping phase—a seismic shudder traveling the opposite direction to the main rupture.
—Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 23 Apr. 2026
China controls the majority of the world’s supply, and Beijing’s brief export restrictions last year on the minerals — critical for the defense and energy sectors — sent shudders through US industry.
—Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
The way the stadium shuddered with noise.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 7 May 2026
The world itself is shuddering on some of these economic blows.
—ABC News, 3 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for shudder
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shudder
Noun
-
Gives me the shivers every time.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
8 June 2026
-
In high school, the thought of wearing anything other than short shorts would send a shiver down my spine.—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
Canada’s first-ever World Cup win was overshadowed yesterday when midfielder Ismaël Koné suffered a broken leg after a tackle that left teammates shaken and coach Jesse Marsch lamenting an injury that turned a night of celebration into one of anguish.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
20 June 2026
-
In a major rupture, strong shaking could cause severe damage near the fault and in areas built on soft or water-saturated soils, which can amplify shaking.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
Be a good child, do what they’re told, be the best child, a tremble in their hands, say nothing, tensed for the knock on the door.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 June 2026
-
Ultimately, the recent market trembles reveal less about the immediate dangers of AI and more about the precarious psychology of modern trading.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Don’t twist or jerk the tick, which can cause the mouth to break off in your skin.—
Reeti Malhotra,
Sacbee.com,
20 June 2026
-
Once the squid gather near the surface, lines fitted with bait are lowered into the water and rapidly jerked up and down to imitate small prey such as shrimp, triggering strikes before the catch is reeled aboard.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
20 June 2026
Verb
-
Each time, brown leaves that had drifted from distant trees quivered and spun on the surface.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
-
Her papers quivered in her hand.—
Tanya Babbar,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
Tap the flower base with a finger, pencil, or vibrating toothbrush for 3 consecutive days to dislodge pollen.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
18 June 2026
-
Nevertheless, Bonnie’s doting parents hope that Lilypad will help Bonnie make friends, oblivious to how the gizmo — and soon, their daughter — vibrates with anxiety.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shudder.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shudder. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
